Monthly Archives: April 2007

Chairman Gary Vink called the meeting to order at 11 a.m. at the Wilma Town Hall. Also present were Supervisors Michael McCullen and Glenford Williamson, Clerk Paul Raymond, County Assessor Lonna Meier, Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster.

Bob explained that there are four categories of land-classification: 1. high land; 2. limited access land; 3. no access land; and 4. waste/swamp. Mike asked if timber could be classified as agricultural if trees are used for harvesting or maple sugar, especially if the state mandates an increase in ethanol non-oil fuels. Lonna said the categories are not dependent on trees or lack of them.

The values are determined by sales from October 1 to September 30 in the townships and county. Wilma had two residential sales and two seasonal/farm sales. Prices haven’t gone down so much, but sales have. The residential/seasonal sales combined ratios were raised from 90.3% to 93.5% adjusted ratio, and farm sales ratios went from 84.5% to 99%. State law mandates our valuation to be from 90 to 105% of market value. High ground is $1,550 per acre; tillable pasture is $1,550; fair land $1,400; no access, $1,000; swamp/wetland, $650. Site-amenity adjustment for the first acre of 5 acres is $18,500. The county assessor makes estimates of the number of feet of river frontage. The first acre on a gravel road is valued at $13,500; on pavement $16,500. Amenities affect the value, like a well, electricity, sewer, etc.

First up was Alden Shute, Parcel 32.0133.000. He asked about the commercial classification of his land because of the gravel pit. Alden said the pit is finished and covered, and he is no longer mining gravel. Alden said he had talked with Assessor Mike Sheehy and thought it was already adjusted. Lonna said only 2.5 acres is assessed as gravel pit; 78 1/2 as agricultural/homestead. 16 Acres is classified tillable; 36 1/2 high ground, and 20 acres swamp. Alden said he is not digging or crushing gravel and it’s been reseeded. There is no more the board can rule on this; the assessor will remove the 2.5 acres commercial gravel classification.

Second up, Carl Kratzke, Parcel 32.0126.001, S. Duncan Road, Section 14. He asked how his land is classified, and what percentage was swamp. 216 acres is high ground; 20 acres swamp. He said beavers are damming it up and turning it into a big swamp. Bob said he would increase waste acres to 50 from 20. Lonna said this classification means that no trees can grow year around. Bob said he’d walk the land with Kratzke next year.

Next, Paul Yager, Parcel 32.0196.000: Bob said he would talk with the county assessor to see if it could be adjusted from100% value to 90% value. He is across the road from the lake and doesn’t get all the benefits of lake property. The first acre had been valued at $45,000, and it was adjusted by half, to $22,500, adding only $5,000 for the lake view. Bob said any land within 1000 feet of a lake is considered shoreland. Paul said it’s either shoreland or it’s not; he doesn’t understand how it can be in the middle.

Next up, Patrice Winfield, Parcel32.0138.002: Patrice wanted to know why her value went up from $205,300 to $263,800 when she hasn’t done anything. They list $43,000 in improvements, but she hasn’t done any improvements. Lonna said it was last assessed in 2001, and each parcel is inspected every 5 years. All improvements since 2001 were considered. Patrice said the Roberts had inspected it since the house was built. Bob said most of the increase was in the house; the land only went up $4,000. Patrice said she estimates her home is 90% done, but the ceiling is only ½ done. Lonna called the county and said last year it was only assessed as 79% complete. Bob said they could take 7 acres from high land due to limited access, $150 per acre times 6-7 acres. Bob said he would stop at Patrice’s after the meeting.

Next, Kathy Olson, Parcel 32.5034.000, Little Tamarack Lake Hills on Little Tamarack Lake. She said taxes are going up alarmingly while her enjoyment is going down. It is valued at $71,300 front foot, up $1,400 this year, and $9,500 in the three year evaluation cycle. There was a 2/3 reduction on the front feet due to the road. She said a utility line runs through the property, and they cut and spray under the line. People tear up and down the road and jet skis and powerful boats use the lake. Joe Vink told her to call the DNR as they have enforcement of the lake and shoreline and wakes can erode the shore. Lonna said that with lake lots they assess it by the first foot, not the first acre. Kathy’s is $140 per foot for 579 feet, and a 2/3 reduction because of the geography of the lot. Even though she doesn’t plan to build, it has to be treated as buildable.

Next, Paul Raymond, Parcel32.0138.001. His north 5 acres on the other section went up from $12, 400 to $38,700. Bob said this was done at the county, as they thought it had been undervalued at 25% value all these years. He asked if this five acres could be sold. Paul said there is no access and it could not be separated or sold. The county won’t allow him to merge it into his 40 acres as it is in a different section. Bob said it should be reverted to the earlier value as it is no access and not a separate parcel.

The assessors had two letters: William Peno, Parcels 32.0015 and 32.0016.000: He said the assessment on his half section is too high. Lonna said they have sales to show that it’s fairly valued. Neighboring properties have sold high. He has 160 acres total, half valued as swamp. 70 acres no access across the creek. Peno could get a letter from the DNR showing their evaluation of the land as sustainable forest to give him timber class, but it would not change the value. Mike said he sees no basis to lower the value, as Peno’s neighbor sold 80 acres for $235,000, about $1,500 per acre.

Steve and Tina Barrett, Parcel 32.0020.000: 80 acres, valued at $148,200. They have no sewer or water, and it would be reduced 25%, but Bob assessed the road as not plowed and no winter access, although it is plowed, so this would increase the value by the same amount, so it would be a wash. 20 acres swamp; 37 acres high ground, 20 acres no access, and one acre road.

Chairman Gary Vink called the meeting or order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Supervisors Glenford Williamson, Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Joe Vink, Headly Williamson, Mark Pallow , and two citizens.

Paul read the record of the March meeting; Mike moved to approve; Glen seconded.

OLD BUSINESS: Grader: Mark got hydraulic oil and a filter for the grader; the cost was close to $1,200.

Copier: Glen got a copier for the township and a printer cartridge. It will be kept at the treasurer’s home.

Towing: Wisconsin Truss delivered a 6-ton load of trusses to a home by Tamarack Lake before the road restrictions were lifted and got stuck in the mud. Joe had to tow them out with the grader. Paul will bill them for the towing, 1.5 hours = $150.00.

Arna Townline Road Reconciliation: Gary has reviewed Arna Township’s bill for work on the Pete Anderson and Langstrom Roads, and approved payment, $1,692.00.

Danforth Townline Road Payment: Danforth Township paid us for work we did on the Eagle Head and Crooked Lake Roads, and sent a bill for $120 for some culvert work they did. Gary did some more work on the road on the culverts and Paul will bill them for $45, plus ask them to put a screen on the culvert by Jason Palme’s place, ¾ mile down Crooked Lake Road. The culvert is plugged and Gary doesn’t know if it’s frozen or beaver-plugged. Mike said to wait until the thaw to take action.

NEW BUSINESS: Township Laptop Computer: Patrice said she learned at the Short Course that the clerk and treasurer have to use CTAS for the town books, and she doesn’t have a PC. Glen said Walmart has a C-M Step Note laptop computer for less than $500, with a Chinese processor, that should have more than enough power for CTAS. It will work with our printer. He said it would be better to get a new StepNote than a used IBM. We can get an extended warranty for a little more. Mike asked Patrice to investigate the StepNote and the cost of an extended warranty. Patrice asked for permission to buy a couple of file folder totes for her records. Mike moved that Patrice be authorized to buy what she needs; Gary seconded. Mike said misc. supplies don’t require a motion.

General Fund: Mike moved that the Board adopt a resolution that all interest on our savings account be deposited into the General Fund. Glen seconded. Mike moved that all PILT funds be deposited into the General Fund. Gary seconded. Mike moved that all Gas Tax revenues be designated to pay for the grader. Glen seconded. Mike then moved to recind the previous motion and made a new motion that all Gas Tax revenues be deposited in the Road and Bridge Fund for the upkeep of township roads. Glen seconded.

New Outhouse: Mark said that he estimates that an 8 x 8 ‘ outhouse will cost around $900 for labor and materials. Mike said he would like to investigate the cost of a handicapped-accessible porta-potty. Mark said he would check prices on holding tanks; he believes it would be about $3,000 installed. The fire department would like to have something in by the pancake breakfast, if possible.

In a related issue, Glen said he would like to see if we could make the town hall more attractive and available for more public events. As 2007 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Town of Wilma, Glen moved that Patrice be designated entertainment coordinator for the Duxbury Days celebration August 4th. Mike seconded and Patrice accepted.

Published Meeting Minutes: Donna Filler showed the board a copy of the public record of the meeting of the Pine County Commissioners, and said that no private citizen who attended the meetings was identified unless they spoke during the meeting. There was a discussion, and the clerk agreed to not publish any private citizen names in the minutes on the town website, unless they spoke during the meeting.

Payroll Deductions: Patrice said that at the short course we were told that separate checks had to be written for taxable and non-taxable payments, unless the Board passed a resolution otherwise. Mike moved that the board adopt a resolution that both taxable and non-taxable payments may be included on the same check. Glen seconded.

Bills for April:

Mike McCullen $ 41.56

Donna Filler 35.00

Mark Pallow 1,163.49

NAPA Auto Parts 59.96

Danforth Township 60.00

Town of Arna 1,692.00

Pine Co. Courier 20.68

East Central Energy 34.91

MN Benefit Association 165.00

U S Treasury 341.64

Paul Raymond 367.17

Mark Pallow 22.16

Joe Vink 89.46

Gary Vink 250.49

Patrice Winfield 336.17

Glen Williamson 236.27

Total Bills: $ 4,915.96

Glen moved to pay all the bills and to transfer $5,000 from savings to checking. Mike seconded. Passed.

Treasurer’s Report:

General Fund Disb./Transfer $ 10,425.62

Balance 9,833.47

Road and Bridge Rec./Transfer 10.245.00

Disbursements 2,822.61

Balance 9,831.60

Fire Disb: 3,500.00

Bal: 321.14

Park Bal: 719.53

Building Disb: 26.08

Bal: 6,790.95

Escrow Fund Bal: 4,864.87

TOTAL ALL FUNDS $ 32,361.56

Glen moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Mike seconded.

The Soil and Water Conservation District Meeting is Saturday, April 7th.

Glen moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

The Board of Reorganization met at the Duxbury Store at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2007. Chairman Gary Vink called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Supervisors Michael McCullen and Glenford Williamson, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Antoinette Williamson. Patrice Winfield had been sworn in earlier as Treaurer by the Clerk.

Paul swore in Glenford Williamson as Supervisor of the Town of Wilma for a term of three years.

Paul read the record of last year’s Board of Reorganization. Mike moved to approve the minutes; Gary seconded.

Gary moved that the wages for the Board of Supervisors as voted on by the citizens at last week’s annual Town Meeting be approved, including half and full-day meetings, mileage, special reports and election judges, and that next year that these wages not be put on the agenda at the annual Town Meeting for a vote as the the Supervisors set the wages. Mike seconded.

Mike nominated Glen to be Chairman of the Board. Glen declined the nomination. Mike nominated Gary to be Chairman, and said Gary has been doing a good job. Glen seconded. Glen moved that Mike be appointed Deputy Chairman; Gary seconded.

Mike moved that all official township legal postings, bank, notices, paper of record, meeting times, etc., be the same as 2006. Glen seconded.

Paul and Patrice will be attending the Township Short Course in St. Cloud on Monday, March 26. Glen and Gary and possibly Mike plan to attend the Grand Rapids Short Course on April 5th. The County Supervisors Meeting is in Hinckley on Saturday, March 31, and Patrice and some Supervisors will attend. The Board of Review is Wednesday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall.

Glen moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Gary said Supervisors will be paid for the full hour.